So much have been writen already about our society of overconsumption. We know how problematic the products we can buy in supermarkets can be to our health, to the planet and our budget. And yet, I’m always surprised to see how busy a supermarket is every Saturday.

I’ve started to pay attention to what I buy and I’ve made some few changes overtime, step by step. My idea was not to make a drastic and quick change of everything. I wanted to get information for each product and thus I focus every once in a while on one in particular and make some research to have the best alternative possible, and while doing this, I want it to become an easy habit.

For example, taking a shower means usually using a shower gel. But you realise very easily that the products are really bad for your health. So I’ve changed first for an ecological brand. Then, I found it stupid that the gel is in a plastic bottle, and also being a gel, most of the time I use more of the product than I really need: so every six weeks or so, I had to go back to buy a new one. The next step was thus to use a simple, normal soap. And I buy it from a small soap facory in my neighborhood..

Of course, the step further could be that I do my own soap (I already do that for the laundry detergent) but I’m focus on other aspects right now and I like the idea of the soap factory anyway.

After months (if not years) of scrutinize each product that I’m using, the number of changes that I have already made means that I have less waste, I rarely go to the supermarket and I don’t spend so much money anymore on cosmetic and cleaning products! Not to mention that my health condition is probably better (or I have avoided some issues).

Less industrial products more art. When you know the impact that Art has on the brain and the benefits of it, It’s a win-win-win situation!

Good news, the art space (and residential venue) w-o-l-k-e is reopening in a new venue. This time in Woluwé (not so far from Montgomery). A party will take place for the occasion with many artsy surprises.

THEATRE – PERFORMANCE

If you understand French, you should definitely try to attend this improvisation theatre show in a bar called l’Amère à Boire (in Flagey area). To be honest, last year, I couldn’t attend any of their events: the bar was overcrowded all the time. My challenge will be to try this time… Let’s cross fingers.. even if I see the paradox of avoiding crowded supermarkets to be in a crowded bar…

Here, knowledge of French should be also a plus: it’s a reading (with music) of an extract of a book by Thomas Gunzig (who will be present himself during the evening). The subject of the reading will be.. the supermarket!

Also, the event takes place at la Maison Autrique: an Art Nouveau house built by Victor Horta, which is also a Museum to visit…

CINE

This year the cinema festival “Elles tournent / Dames Draaien” will be held at the Cinema Aventure in the center. A very cosy and nice movie theatre. The festival itself is worth it: all movies are directed by women. Of course, the program includes a series of movies about feminism, but besides that there’re other subjects (fictions, short movies…).

LIVE MUSIC

Here, the French knowledge should help, but as the story telling is not only words but also music, it’s shouldn’t be a problem to attend the event anyway. I believe it would be a convivial moment as the concert will take place after the weekly evening meal at La Poissonnerie, an occupied building where are taking place many events for and by the community.

I’ve met with the organiser of this concert last Sunday during a Vinyls Fair at Brass. So he explained us a bit about his project and even did on air, as I was there with Radio Panik covering the event, with an interview of participants and playing some music of their choice.

Thanks to that discussion I realised that I knew about the musician, even if his name was not familiar to me. He had some collaboration with movie director Jim Jarmush and I’ve seen at least one of the movies in question.

Jozef Van Wissem will be in Brussels this Friday and will be playing in a very alternative and cosy venue. It’s really nice of him to accept the invitation by an independent and non-profit organiser, while the man can very easily have a stage at AB or similar venue.

As I’m more and more sensitive to sound quality and I tend to not go (or leave the place) when the volume is too loud, I’m really happy about the Semaine du Son as the mission is to make us all aware of sound quality through a serie of events – all free!

COMMUNITY

In the Summer, takes place the free Plazey Festival at the Elizabeth Park. The people behind it are this time organising a one day event at the same place: free, with music and kids activities, not to mention food and drink.. If you feel like having some fresh air in the heart of Winter, that’s certainly a good place to start!

PARTY

After an occupation of the Byrrrrhh building, then the Pyramide, the association Rapa Nui has no place for the moment… But they’re still up to for a good party and this one will take place in the center, in rue des Chartreux. Psytrance as usual in the menu!

If you like electro music spiced with world music, you should then come to the Hybrid Circus Party, also in the center at la Tentation! And the fee is not so much expensive (free till midnight, then 5€).

You like cutting edge electro? Then the parties Leftorium are custom made for you! The crowd is probably a bit older than a party at Fuse, I think, but the atmosphere is worth it and I think the collaboration with Beursschouwburg is fruitfull.

You’re not sure if you want a Techno or a House music party? Why do you have to choose when you can have both? That’s what you can have at the Deep in House party near the Canal: the venue is big enough so there’re two rooms!

It looks like a supermarket, where everything is offered to you, and only your mood or your needs are the limit to your choices…

Yelyam

Cover picture : Artist Isaac Cordal at exhibition “Fragil” organised by Zinneke in a former supermarket, Brussels – October 2015